Georgia swamp fire expected to burn 5,000 acres

The Arabia Bay fire, six to ten miles northwest of Homerville, Georgia, has burned 1,500 acres, but the Georgia Forestry Commission expects it will burn an entire swamp by November 16, blackening 5,000 acres.

Map showing heat detected by satellites at 11:45 a.m. ET, showing the Arabia Bay fire.Satellite photo showing the area in which the Arabia Bay fire is burning.

Information from the Georgia Forestry Commission about the fire:

Residents of Clinch, Atkinson and Lanier counties should expect to see smoke as the GFC battles the blaze. Smoke could get thick at times, and GFC urges residents to use extreme caution when driving through dense smoke due to limited visibility. Georgia State Patrol, Department of Transportation and local law enforcement officials will be closely managing traffic on local highways while the fire burns. Motorists are advised to pay close attention to warning signs and any other instructions given by these officials.